Pros

Very fuel-efficient; low price; standard safety features

Model Highlights

The Yaris is offered in two body styles: 3-door and 5-door liftback. All 2012 Toyota Yaris models come with a 106-horsepower, 1.5L 4-cylinder engine, making 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque. With variable valve timing, the engine is quite flexible and responsive and works quite well with the available 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic. EPA fuel economy ratings are 30 mpg city, 35 mpg highway with the automatic, or 30 mpg city /38 mpg highway with the manual.

Standard features on all Yaris models include intermittent wipers, a 4-speaker CD/MP3 player with iPod input, tilt steering wheel, power locks, air conditioning, anti-lock brakes and stability control. Nine air bags including front-seat, side-curtain and a driver's knee airbag are also included. An efficiency-enhancing trip computer is included in the instrumentation that will show instant fuel economy and an "ECO driving indicator" to show the driver how well they're doing. The 5-door model gets a rear wiper standard as well.

The Yaris may be diminutive, but it doesn't sacrifice comfort or interior space. Its 85 cubic feet of passenger volume and 15 cubic feet of cargo space mean it's comfortable enough for up to 5 passengers and their stuff. The short 99-inch wheelbase means a tight turning circle of just 31 feet. Suspension is a MacPherson strut-type front suspension and torsion-beam rear setup that's tuned for good ride comfort and electric-assist power steering maximizes efficiency as well as improving parking-lot maneuverability.

In addition to the standard equipment, the LE model adds on power-adjustable mirrors, an upgraded 6-speaker stereo with HD radio and Bluetooth. Upgraded front seats, a split-folding rear seat and steering wheel audio controls are also included as well as remote keyless are also included.

The SE model, only available in the 5-door, gets 16-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler fog lamps, a mesh grille, cruise control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter.

Model News

The Yaris gets a redesign for 2012. Gone is the Yaris sedan. The hatchback gets a Camry-like front end and more steeply-raked rear lines. It's available in both 3 and 5 door variations. The same 1.5L 4-cylinder engine returns and customers will have a choice of L, LE and SE trims.

Value Writeup

The Yaris has a lot of appeal to those who value practicality, fuel efficiency and reliability. The Toyota Yaris is one of the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid models available in the U.S., as well as one of the lowest-priced new cars. With the Yaris' enviable reputation for resale value, reliability and longevity, it's a great pick for those who want to buy new and keep their vehicle for a long time.

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2012 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 21, 2011, through August 31, 2011. A relay in the Power Steering Control Module of the electronic power steering system could experience a short circuit due to insufficient distance between terminals in the relay and moisture contamination of relay coil windings. A short circuit in the relay could disable power steering assistance.

Consequence

If the power steering assistance shuts off, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering control module. The recall began on July 31, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID

15V134000

Mfg's Report Date

MAR 09, 2015

Component

STRUCTURE

Potential Number of Units Affected

16,582

Summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Yaris vehicles manufactured August 31, 2011, to February 9, 2015, and sold in Puerto Rico. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a roof headliner that does not provide the proper occupant protection in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 201, " Occupant Protection in Interior Impact."

Consequence

If the vehicles are equipped with a headliner that does not meet the impact requirements, there is an increased risk of occupantl injury in the event of a crash.

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headliner, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in mid-April 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID

18V025000

Mfg's Report Date

January 9, 2018

Component

AIR BAGS

Potential Number of Units Affected

14,585

Summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2012 Yaris vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, these vehicles are also being recalled in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation ...

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by March 10, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are G0R (Zone B), and H0A (Zone C).

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Est. Payment *

Vehicle Price: 14,910.00

*Estimated payments are for informational purposes only and don't account for acquisition fees, destination charges, tax, title, and other fees and incentives or represent a financing offer or guarantee of credit from the seller.